Medical Spa Blog

Posts for: January, 2018

It’s not easy to live day to day with the many symptoms that come with the general aging process. Thankfully the practitioners at Rocky River Med Spa-The Fountain Clinic in Rocky River, OH, offer a solution called hormone replacement therapy, for both men and women. Find out more about this anti-aging treatment and how it can help you or someone you love get back to your life.

What Does Hormone Replacement Do?
Hormone replacement therapy helps patients rejuvenate themselves when they’re feeling the many adverse effects of aging. It traditionally has been used to help women who are struggling with the symptoms of menopause. However, hormone therapy can also help men restore their vigor, energy, and muscle function by supplementing naturally occurring hormones.

How Does Hormone Replacement Work?
First, you’ll visit a practitioner at The Fountain Clinic in Rocky River for a consultation to explain your concerns and talk more about the therapy, including any risks. The next step is a hormone evaluation lab panel, which will tell your doctor if you’re a candidate for this program. At the next appointment, your doctor will consult with you about your results and do a thorough physical, which will include an EKG. Once you pass your physical, you’ll receive a prescription for the hormones to take as suggested by your doctor.

Why Should You Choose Hormone Replacement Therapy?
Here are a few reasons why you might want to consider hormone replacement therapy:

Seek Treatment Today
If you’re interested in hormone replacement therapy, your next step should be to contact a specialist at Rocky River Med Spa-The Fountain Clinic in Rocky River, OH, for an initial consultation. Call (216) 503-8517 today for an appointment with Dr. Curt Birchall.

The sun emits harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which can result in skin damage from freckles and cosmetic blemishes to more serious conditions like cancer. Sun damage doesn’t happen overnight, and the long-term effects of repeated sun exposure may not appear for years. It’s a gradual process brought on by repeated exposure to the sun’s harmful rays, which can have serious consequences later in life. But it's never too late to start protecting your skin from sun damage!

Signs of Sun Damaged Skin

Tans or sunburns are two visible signs of sun damage. A tan reveals that your skin has attempted to protect itself from sun damage by producing melanin, the brown pigment that colors the outer layer of skin. And sunburns indicate damaged skin cell DNA, which increases your risk for skin cancer.

The following signs indicate sun-damaged skin.

Change in Texture - Skin may become dull and leathery as it is repeatedly exposed to the sun.

Age Spots - As sun exposure increases so does the body’s production of melanin, which leads to the gradual appearance of blotches in skin tone and brown, black or gray spots on the face, chest, shoulders and hands.

Wrinkles - As the sun depletes collagen and elastin, the substances that keep skin firm and flexible, skin sags and wrinkles appear which make you look older.

Red or Inflamed Skin - Symptoms of sunburn such as heat, pain, redness or blisters indicate damage to the epidermis.

The best way to maintain a youthful appearance and avoid skin cancer is to make sun protection a part of daily life. Take extra precautions when outdoors. Always apply sunscreen and wear protective clothing, such as hats and sunglasses. Limit the amount of time you spend in direct sunlight and seek shade when possible. Tanning beds are just as harmful for your skin and should also be avoided.

When to Visit Your Dermatologist

Sun damage should not be overlooked. It may be time to visit your dermatologist about potential sun damage if you:

Experience a severe sunburn with blistering or other serious side effects, or if you have a history of sunburns

Notice changes to existing skin growths or develop new or irregular shaped moles or spots, as these could be indications that you have skin cancer

Have sun spots on your skin, especially if they appear suddenly or are dark in color

Have a family history of skin cancer

At a minimum, you should visit a dermatologist once a year to have your body inspected for moles or growths. A dermatologist will not only look for signs of cancer, but can also offer cosmetic treatments to reduce the visible signs of sun damage, such as wrinkles, fine lines and age spots.

Abnormal, unpredictable and excessive sweating, referred to as hyperhidrosis, is a serious and difficult medical condition for millions of people worldwide. Hyperhidrosis occurs when the body’s sweat glands are overactive, which causes overabundant sweat production that is not warranted by physical activity or an emotional response to stress. This condition is often characterized by unexplainable sweaty palms, embarrassing sweat rings and dripping foreheads.

While there is no known cause of hyperhidrosis, it may occur in people who have abnormally large sweat glands or who are genetically predisposed to hyperhidrosis. Excessive sweating may also signal more serious medical conditions such as thyroid problems, low blood sugar and other health problems. That’s why it is important to visit your physician or dermatologist when you suspect you have an abnormal sweating problem.

There’s Help

In many cases hyperhidrosis goes undiagnosed, misdiagnosed and untreated due to lack of awareness about the condition and the treatment options available. As physicians become more knowledgeable about the condition, more effective treatments are emerging—and working!

Prescription Strength Deodorants

When over-the-counter deodorants are not effective in managing your sweating, then you may need a stronger antiperspirant. A dermatologist may prescribe a deodorant that contains ingredients that block sweat ducts temporarily to reduce excess moisture.

Oral Medications

Your regular physician or dermatologist may prescribe medications to prevent the stimulation of sweat glands.

Botox

Botox, a popular cosmetic procedure known for treating wrinkles, may also be used to safely control hyperhidrosis. Botox helps control excess sweating by temporarily blocking the chemical signals from the nerves that stimulate the sweat glands.

Although non-life threatening, hyperhidrosis can be embarrassing, impacting your daily life both socially and professionally. But it is also treatable. Understand your treatment options, and visit your dermatologist to learn more about managing your hyperhidrosis.